John Simm's Honest Musical Selections: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Peculiar Aversions
The initial tune I fell in love with
My most primal recollection is entering a space at nursery school where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was mesmerized by the audio textures, and John Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I recall believing: “This must be music!”
The inaugural 45 I bought
When I was eight, I won a competition at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I opted for Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Colne. It was number one at the time, and I selected it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The song I sing at sing-along
I candidly do not enjoy public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d go with Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.
The track I oddly know all the words to
I just discovered that I have memorized virtually every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and the entire album on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The ideal tune to blast at a gathering
It relies on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d move on to the Artist, the Stones and David Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an massive track.
The number I can never bear
I strangely detest Mr Brightside by the Las Vegas band.
The ultimate song to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The LP that altered my perspective
When I was 12 and beginning to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was consumed by The King, the rock pioneer, the killer, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock ’n’roll. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Virtually any music makes me touched. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Fab Four all make me cry because of the tune and sheer beauty of the vocals. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner hits me hard every time.
The music I’d like performed at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.